The Football League has struck a deal with Channel 5 to air a weekly highlights show in prime time on Saturday evenings.
The deal, struck for the next three seasons, marks the first time that Football League matches will be shown in prime time.
Channel 5, which will air a weekly 90-minute show at 9pm starting next season, takes over from the BBC which had aired highlights after Match of the Day, usually starting just before midnight and ending after 1am.
“This is an exceptional opportunity for the Football League to work with a broadcaster that will schedule our matches in a prime time slot,” said Shaun Harvey, chief executive of The Football League. “ It will take our games to a wider, younger audience by giving us the chance to be first in front of fans on a Saturday night.”
ITN Productions has won the multimillion-pound contract to film and produce 1,813 games from the Championship, League One and League Two.
ITN Productions, which takes over the contract from IMG, will also produce digital clips and highlights content for use by domestic broadcaster and international broadcasters and clubs.
“This is a transformative moment for ITN Productions and ITN,” said Mark Browning managing director of ITN Productions. “This is the result of our continued investment in production excellence and fast-turnaround publishing capability along with a world class team.”
Channel 5, which is currently tendering the contract to produce its highlights show, will also air highlights of the Capital One Cup and Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.
